Good Christmas fabric is two decisions: the print, and the base it is printed on. The print is the fun part. The base decides whether a stocking stands up, a quilt lies flat and a pair of pyjamas is cool enough for a summer Christmas.
Here is the base we would choose for each Christmas project, how much to order, and this season's designs from our studios. Every design can be printed on any base, by the metre.
The best fabric for each Christmas project
Signature Cotton
Medium weight plain weave, the closest base we have to quilting cotton. It presses flat, holds a crisp seam and cuts cleanly.
Pair one large print with two small blenders. The large print carries the quilt.
Cotton Canvas
Our heaviest cotton. A stocking keeps its shape with presents in it, and a tree skirt lies flat.
Choose a large scale print. Small ditsy prints read as texture from across a room.
Cotton Linen
The look of linen with fewer creases. It washes hard and irons back flat after a long lunch.
Cut napkins on the straight grain so they stay square after washing.
Cotton Lawn
Fine, light and breathable, for a Christmas that falls in summer. Also the best base for fabric gift wrap.
Pale prints can be slightly sheer. Line dresses, or choose a darker background.
Not sure between two? Order swatches first. See it. Feel it. Then order metres. The Base Fabrics Pack has every print base in one envelope.
When to order Christmas fabric
Working back from our dispatch window of 7 to 10 business days and typical transit of 10 to 18 days, order by 23 October for fabric in hand by the end of November. Quicker makes like stockings and napkins can still be ordered in early November.
Christmas designs from our studios
Vintage, Scandi folk, cottage florals and modern stripes, from independent designers. Tap any design to choose your base and see the price.
Nutcracker Christmas Stripesbhldesigns
Apples and Fir, BurgundyAdeline-Julie Bee
Christmas Village in the SnowHouse of Haricot
Scandi Folk Art ChristmasSandra Herrgott
Christmas DayCatherine Marion
Woodland Holiday Paisleybhldesigns
Vintage Christmas BaublesNordic Duck
Folk Art PatchworkCarla Ellis
How much Christmas fabric do you need
| Project | Fabric to order |
|---|---|
| Christmas stocking | 0.5 m, plus 0.5 m to line it |
| Table runner, up to 1.3 m | 0.5 m |
| Four 45 cm napkins | 1 m |
| Tablecloth, 180 cm table | About 2.4 m |
| Child's pyjamas | 1.5 to 2 m |
| Fabric gift wrap | 1 m makes two 68 cm squares |
Your pattern has the final say. Add 10 to 20 cm for pre-washing and for stripes or scenic prints that must run one way.
Christmas fabric questions
What is the best fabric for Christmas stockings?
Cotton Canvas. At 330 GSM it holds its shape on the hook. For a softer stocking, use Cotton Twill with a light interfacing.
What fabric is best for a Christmas quilt?
A medium weight plain weave cotton. Signature Cotton is our first choice; Cotton Poplin is lighter and crisper for small blocks.
Can I print my own Christmas fabric?
Yes. Upload a drawing, a photo or your own design through Custom Upload, choose the base and the length, and we print it to order.
Should I pre-wash Christmas fabric?
Yes, for anything that will be washed, like quilts, napkins and pyjamas. Natural fibres can shrink on the first wash, so wash and press before you cut.
Can I sell what I make?
Yes. You can use our fabric in finished goods without limit, including goods you sell at Christmas markets. The printed design itself cannot be copied or reused as artwork.